1.Effect of Serum Containing Zhenwutang on Apoptosis of Myocardial Mast Cells and Mitochondrial Autophagy
Wei TANG ; Meiqun ZHENG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Zhiyong CHEN ; Chi CHE ; Zongqiong LU ; Jiashuai GUO ; Xiaomei ZOU ; Lili XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):11-21
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of serum containing Zhenwutang on myocardial mast cell apoptosis induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and the mechanism of the correlation between apoptosis and mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsIn this experiment, AngⅡ and serum containing Zhenwutang with different concentrations were used to interfere with H9C2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h, and the survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to screen the optimal concentration for the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in cell culture supernatant, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell surface area to verify the construction of the myocardial mast cell model. Subsequently, the experiment was divided into a blank group (20% blank serum), a model group (20% blank serum + 5×10-5 mol·L-1 AngⅡ), low-, medium-, and high-dose (5%, 10% and 20%) serum containing Zhenwutang groups, an autophagy inhibitor group (1×10-4 mol·L-1 3-MA), and autophagy inducer group (1×10-7 mol·L-1 rapamycin). The apoptosis level of H9C2 cells and the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. The lysosomal probe (Lyso Tracker) and mitochondrial probe (Mito Tracker) co-localization was employed to detect autophagy. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C) in apoptosis-related pathways and the relative mRNA expression of ubiquitin ligase (Parkin), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), and p62 protein in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways. Western blot was used to detect cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt C in apoptosis-related pathways, phosphorylated ubiquitin ligase (p-Parkin), phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase 1 (p-PINK1), p62, and Bcl-2 homology domain protein Beclin1 in mitochondrial autophagy-related pathways, and the change of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio. ResultsCCK-8 showed that when the concentration of AngⅡ was 5×10-5 mol·L-1, the cell activity was the lowest, and there was no cytotoxicity. At this concentration, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the content of BNP in the supernatant of culture medium was significantly increased (P<0.05). Therefore, AngⅡ with a concentration of 5×10-5 mol·L-1 was selected for the subsequent modeling of myocardial mast cells. Compared with the blank group, the model group and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA group had a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence co-localization showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a significantly decreased number of red and green fluorescence spots. The results of Real-time PCR showed that compared with that in the blank group, the relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 in the model group was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), while the relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, the relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased, and the relative protein expression of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Zhenwutang groups and the autophagy inducer group had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), and the decrease ratio of mitochondrial membrane potential is significantly lowered (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, both red and green fluorescence spots became more in these groups. In the 3-MA group, the number of red and green fluorescence spots decreased significantly. The relative mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while that of Bcl-2, Parkin, and PINK1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). In the serum containing Zhenwutang groups, the relative protein expression levels of Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Cyt C, and p62 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased, and the relative protein expression levels of Bcl-2, p-Parkin, p-PINK1, and Beclin1 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionThe serum containing Zhenwutang can reduce the apoptosis of myocardial mast cells and increase mitochondrial autophagy. This is related to the inhibition of intracellular Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 apoptosis pathway and regulation of Parkin/PINK1 mitochondrial autophagy pathway.
2.The role of probiotics in ameliorating hyperuricemia: a review
ZOU Yan ; HUANG Enshan ; ZHAO Dong ; HUANG Lichun ; SU Danting ; ZHANG Ronghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):36-39
Abstract
Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder syndrome caused by purine metabolism dysregulation, and its prevalence increases year by year. The development and progression of HUA are accompanied by significant alterations in the composition of intestinal microbiota, making probiotics a potential and safe method to reduce serum uric acid. Probiotics ameliorate HUA through three pathways: competing with intestinal epithelial cells for purine absorption to decrease uric acid synthesis, inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity through modulation of inflammatory cytokines to reduce the conversion of purine to uric acid, as well as restoring and maintaining an orderly state of the gut microbiota to facilitate normal uric acid excretion. This article reviews the role of probiotics in ameliorating HUA, so as to provide the reference for the application of probiotics in the prevention and intervention of HUA.
3.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
4.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Pingxuan Capsules
Yuer HU ; Yanming XIE ; Yaming LIN ; Yuanqi ZHAO ; Yihuai ZOU ; Mingquan LI ; Xiaoming SHEN ; Wei PENG ; Changkuan FU ; Yuanyuan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):201-210
As a patented characteristic medicine of Yi ethnic minority, Pingxuan capsules have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney, pacifying the liver, and subduing Yang. With the main indications of dizziness, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, insomnia, dreaminess, waist and knee soreness caused by liver-kidney deficiency and liver Yang upward disturbance, Pingxuan capsules are widely used in the treatment of posterior circulation ischemic vertigo, vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. However, the current knowledge is limited regarding the efficacy, syndrome differentiation, and safety of this medicine. On the basis of summarizing the experience of clinicians and the existing evidence, this study invites clinical experts of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, pharmaceutical experts, and methodological experts from relevant fields across China to conduct evidence-based evaluation of Pingxuan capsules. The evaluation follows the Specifications for the Development of Clinical Expert Consensus on Chinese Patent Medicines issued by the Standardization Office of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, and reaches 5 recommendations and 16 consensus suggestions. The consensus clarifies the clinical applications, efficacy, dose, course of treatment, combination of medicines, precautions, and contraindications of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo and explains the safety of clinical application. This consensus is applicable to clinicians (traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine) and pharmacists in tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals, and community-level medical and health institutions across China, providing a reference for the rational use of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo. It is hoped that the promotion of this consensus can facilitate the rational use of drugs in clinical practice, reduce the risk of drug use, and give full play to the advantages of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo diseases. This consensus has been reviewed and published by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, with the number GS/CACM330-2023.
5.Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Modulating Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Jiyu ZOU ; Tianjiao WANG ; Ningzi ZANG ; Yongming LIU ; Lijian PANG ; Linlin WANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):287-298
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as a chronic respiratory disease that can be prevented and intervened but cannot be completely cured, has increasing incidence and mortality rates year by year, often complicated by one or more comorbidities. However, there is currently no specific treatment available. Therefore, the healthcare issues related to COPD are urgent and prominent. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) delays the progression of COPD through multiple mechanisms, pathways, and targets. As a result, exploring the pathogenesis of COPD and identifying TCM treatment approaches and effective prescriptions are key issues that urgently need to be addressed in clinical practice. In TCM, COPD is categorized into syndromes such as "cough", "asthma", and "lung distension". It is believed that the deficiency in the origin runs through the entire disease. When external pathogens invade, Qi becomes disordered, and phlegm and blood stasis begin to accumulate, leading to an excess condition in the manifestation. Modern medicine research on the pathogenesis of COPD mainly involves aspects such as inflammatory response, oxidative stress, autophagy imbalance, and aging. Studies have found that Chinese medicine monomers, single herbs, and compound prescriptions can improve COPD by inhibiting inflammation, reducing oxidative damage, correcting autophagy, and delaying aging. However, there is no study that intuitively organizes the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and their interrelationships. At the same time, research on the therapeutic effects of TCM on COPD primarily focuses on exploring a single mechanism or pathway, without integrating multiple mechanisms, pathways, and targets. Additionally, there are very few studies that summarize the corresponding relationships between the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and the regulatory effects and signaling pathways of Chinese medicine. This study, for the first time, combines the latest literature in China and abroad to explain the various pathogenesis mechanisms of COPD and their interrelationships using a combination of graphs, text, and tables. It also outlines the signaling pathways, targets, and mechanisms of Chinese medicine monomers, single herbs, and compound prescriptions in regulating COPD, in order to provide new ideas and strategies for the in-depth research and systematic treatment of COPD with TCM.
6.Identification of Chemical Constituents of Bidens pilosa and Analysis of Its Anti-gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation Activity in Vitro
Yu HAN ; Chang LIU ; Jiao LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Zhongmei ZOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):154-164
ObjectiveTo study the chemical constituents of Bidens pilosa and the in vitro antiproliferative activity of some compounds against gastric cancer cells. MethodsThe chemical constituents were isolated and purified by methods such as silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, medium pressure preparation chromatography, semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and recrystallization, their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, spectral data and circular dichroism spectra. Thiazole blue(MTT) assay was used to determine the in vitro inhibitory activityies of some isolated compounds against human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, and molecular docking was used to predict their potential targets. ResultsTwenty-five compounds were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of B. pilosa and identified as bidpillignan A(
7.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates NF-κB Signaling Pathway for Treatment of Obesity: A Review
Zijing WU ; Jixin LI ; Linjie QIU ; Yan REN ; Chacha ZOU ; Meijie LI ; Wenjie LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):310-318
Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammation and a risk factor for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and malignant tumors, demonstrating an increasingly grim development situation. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is a key signaling pathway involved in the immune response and inflammatory response. In obese individuals, the expression of NF-κB is overactivated, which leads to abnormal inflammatory responses in the body. Therefore, it is expected to alleviate inflammation and treat obesity by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, which has been proven effective by a large number of studies. The available studies on the NF-κB signaling pathway mostly focus on tumors, and there is no systematic review of the mechanism of this pathway in mediating obesity and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. We reviewed the research progress in the pathological and physiological processes of obesity mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway and TCM treatment, aiming to give insights into the clinical treatment of obesity with TCM and provide reference targets and research directions for exploring the biological foundations and the development of new TCM preparations.
8.Cost-utility analysis of ciclesonide and budesonide in the treatment of mild to moderate bronchial asthma
Jie ZOU ; Jieying HUANG ; Lina WANG ; Wenwen DU ; Wei XU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):203-207
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of ciclesonide (CIC) versus budesonide (BUD) for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate bronchial asthma. METHODS From the perspective of Chinese health service system, a Markov model was established based on the data from a clinical trial in China and some literature. The cycle length was 1 week, the time horizon was 60 years. A discount rate of 5% per year was applied. Cost-utility analysis was performed on therapeutic scheme of CIC and BUD using three times of China’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 as the threshold of willing-to-pay (WTP). One-way sensitivity analysis, probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were applied to test the uncertainty of basic analysis. RESULTS Compared with BUD scheme, the incremental cost of the CIC scheme was 9 401.67 yuan, and the incremental quality-adjusted life years(QALYs) were 0.001 3; incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 6 928 868.26 yuan/QALY, far beyond the threshold of WTP 268 074 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the usage, dosage and unit price of CIC and BUD were parameters that had a significant impact on ICER; probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the basic analysis results were relatively robust; scenario analysis showed that, when the price of CIC reduced to 159.95 yuan/branch, the probability of CIC scheme having economics was similar to that of BUD scheme. CONCLUSIONS At the current price, CIC is not economical compared with BUD for the maintenance treatment of mild to moderate asthma, using three times of China’s GDP in 2023 as the threshold of WTP.
9.Prognostic correlation analysis of multiple myeloma based on HALP score of peripheral blood before chemotherapy
Min CHEN ; Liying AN ; Xiaojing LIN ; Pan ZHAO ; Xingli ZOU ; Jin WEI ; Xun NI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):61-67
[Objective] To explore the predictive value of HALP score for prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on laboratory indicators and related clinical data of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients, treated at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2016 to October 2023, prior to their first treatment. The HALP score was calculated, and the optimal cutoff value for HALP was determined using X-tile software. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves for high HALP and low HALP groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox regression model, and a forest plot was generated using Graphpad Prism to illustrate factors that may impact patient prognosis. The predictive ability of HALP score combined with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score for prognosis in MM patients was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. [Results] A total of 203 MM patients were included, with the optimal cutoff value for HALP score being 29.15 (P<0.05). Among them, 101 patients were in the low HALP score group, and 102 patients were in the high HALP score group. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model showed that a HALP score <29.15 was an independent risk factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that the combination of HALP score with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score had a higher predictive value for prognosis in MM patients compared to using HALP score alone. [Conclusion] The HALP score is closely related to the prognosis of patients with NDMM. A low HALP score indicates a poorer prognosis, while the combination of HALP score with β2-microglobulin and ECOG score provides a higher predictive value when assessed together.
10.Optimization of temperature parameters for screening unexpected antibodies in Rh system by manual polybrene test
Xin ZOU ; Minjie CHEN ; Sifei MA ; Hongmei YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):97-100
[Objective] To explore the temperature parameters affecting the polybrene test and determine the optimal temperature conditions for detecting unexpected antibodies of the Rh system. [Methods] The reaction of IgG human anti-D antibody with different dilutions (undiluted, 1∶2, 1∶4, 1∶8, 1∶16, 1∶32,1∶64) with D antigen-positive red blood cells was detected by manual polybrene test (MPT). Different temperatures (25℃ and 37℃) were set, and the reaction time with low ionic medium was 4 minutes. The agglutination integral value of anti-D and red cell depolymerization time were compared to observe the effect of enhanced agglutination reaction, thereby establishing the test temperature reaction conditions for enhancing the MPT. The same reaction condition was applied to 36 blood samples containing unexpected antibodies of the Rh system, and the effect of enhanced MPT was observed in comparison with the polybrene method and the antiglobulin test (column agglutination). [Results] With all other conditions held constant, when low ionic medium was added, the incubation temperature of 25℃ and 37℃ resulted in different total agglutination integral values for anti-D (20.9±2.025 vs 25.5±2.635), and the comparison showed a significant difference (P<0.05). When the antibody dilution was 1∶16, the incubation temperature of 25℃ and 37℃ resulted in different agglutination integral values (3.9±0.738 vs 5.8±0.632), and the comparison showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Erythrocyte depolymerization time (62.8±8.149 vs 90.1±10.713) was significantly different (P<0.05). At a dilution of 1∶32, the incubation temperatures of 25℃ and 37℃ resulted in different agglutination integral values (2.5±0.527 vs 4.3±0.675), as well as different red blood cell dissociation times (35.4±7.792 vs 57.4±10.885)(P<0.05), and the comparison showed a significant difference (P<0.05), with no differences observed in the other groups. In the detection of 36 Rh system unexpected antibody samples, when the antibody titer was ≤2, the enhanced polybrene method had a higher positive rate, and when the antibody titer was ≥4, the detection rates of the three methods were consistent. [Conclusion] The reference temperature condition for the modified MPT is incubation at 37℃ for 4 min after the addition of low ionic medium. The application of this temperature condition to unexpected antibody samples of Rh system could achieve a significant enhancement effect, thereby increasing transfusion safety for the treatment of emergency patients, and is worth popularizing.


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